Tragedy Strikes as Small Plane Crashes in Riverside County, Killing Six
MURRIETA, Calif. – In a devastating incident, a small plane crashed in Riverside County, claiming the lives of all six people on board. The crash occurred as the aircraft attempted to land for the second time at the French Valley Airport in Murrieta.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the ill-fated flight was a 1979 Cessna C550 business jet that departed from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas at approximately 3:15 a.m. on Saturday.
As the twin-jet airplane approached the French Valley Airport, a marine layer descended upon the area, significantly reducing visibility. Tragically, the plane crashed short of the airport during its second approach at around 4:15 a.m., resulting in the loss of all six lives on board.
The Riverside County sheriff’s-coroner office has now identified the victims as Abigail Tellez-Vargas, 33, of Murrieta; Riese Lenders, 25, of Rancho Palos Verdes; Manuel Vargas-Regalado, 32, of Temecula; Lindsey Gleiche, 31, of Huntington Beach; Alma Razick, 51; and Ibrahem Razick, 46, both of Temecula.
During a press conference on Saturday, Eliott Simpson of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed that the pilot had reported to air traffic control that he was going to perform a missed approach, which is typically done when the pilot is unable to see the runway. Air traffic control granted clearance for the missed approach and subsequently cleared the pilot to land again after the first attempt.
However, tragedy struck when the pilot crashed the aircraft 500 feet short of the intended runway. The plane, excluding the tail, was engulfed in flames upon impact.
Eyewitnesses confirmed the presence of dense fog in the area on Saturday morning, making it extremely challenging for anyone to navigate. Patrick O’Neil, an employee at Moon Valley Nurseries, described the conditions, saying, “It was very foggy this morning. It was almost like you were in a snowstorm where you can’t see a couple of feet ahead of you. So, just getting to work was very challenging. So, I can only imagine trying to land any type of plane, you know, here at the French Valley Airport.”
This tragic incident marks the second plane crash near the French Valley Airport in the past week. On Tuesday, a pilot lost their life when a single-engine Cessna 172 crashed in close proximity to the airport.
Both crashes are currently under investigation as authorities work to determine the causes and prevent future tragedies from occurring.
What factors could have contributed to the pilot’s inability to safely land the plane for the second time?
E pilot attempted to land the plane for the second time but was unable to do so safely. The aircraft crashed into a field near the airport, resulting in the deaths of all six occupants.
The victims of the crash have been identified as two crew members and four passengers. Authorities are currently working to notify their families and investigate the cause of the accident.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into the crash. They will examine the wreckage, review air traffic control communications, and gather any other relevant information to determine the cause of the tragedy. The NTSB’s findings could take several months to complete.
Local authorities and emergency responders rushed to the scene shortly after the crash. Despite their efforts, they were unable to save any of the passengers and crew.
The community of Murrieta and the aviation industry are mourning the loss of the victims. The French Valley Airport will remain closed until further notice as investigators continue their work.
This heartbreaking incident serves as a reminder of the risks associated with air travel and the importance of thorough safety regulations and procedures in the aviation industry.
